Toothbrush



April 8, 1930.

l.. o.l GRAVES TOOTHBRUSH Filed Nov. so. 192s Patented Apr. 8, 1930 g UNITED STATES LYNU'S O. GRAVES, 0F TAIBERNASH, COLORADO Too'rHBaUsn Application mea November so, 192s'. serial No. 322,658.

This invention relates to a tooth brush and has for its principal object the provision of an inexpensive, easily manufactured brush which will contain the tooth paste.

It is primarily intended for a single use,

it contalning 'sui'icient paste for one application after which the brush may be discarded. It is not necessarily, however, limited to this, since provision is made for inserting additional tooth paste. Another object of the invention is to provide a tooth paste container'which can be fitted into the back of a tooth brush so as to discharge into the brush bristles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bristle construction which will allow a passage for the tooth paste throughout the length of the brush and which will project the edges 4of the bristles in sharp lines along the sides of the brush so that a more efficient cleansing action can be obtained.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention,which is designedifor simplicity, economy, and eificiency. These will become more apparent from the following description. In the following detailed description of the invention ,reference is had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved tooth brush. The design and curvature of the handle, of course, forms no part of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a back view of the brush.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section taken on 40 the line 3-3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is adetail view of a tooth paste conv tainer arranged for insertion in the back of the brush. v

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective yview illustrating an alternate form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a detail View illustrating a strip of bristles to be used in the alternate form of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 illustrates a second alternate form of the invention.

RElssUi-:n

My improved brush comprisesl a back 10 provided with a handle 9 and with bristles 11. It is desired to call attention to the peculiar lacement of the bristles 11. The bristle tu s are set at an angle along the two Sides of the back 10 so that the bristles will cross each other and leave an opening or passageway 12 along the front of the back 10. This construction projects the bristles toward the sides as well as toward the top of the brush so that an eiiicient cleansing surface is obtained over the entire bristle surface. It also projects the bristles along a sharp line at each side lof the brush so that crevices in the teeth Will be more easily U5 reached. v v

In the rear face of the back 10, a conical paste cavity 13 is formed which opens to the front of the back l0 through a paste discharge opening 14.. In one form of my invention the cavity 13 is filled with tooth paste as indicated at 15, Fig. 3, the paste being covered by a label 16 of paper, rubber or similar material.

It can be readily seen that pressure on the label 16 by means of the finger will cause the paste to exude through the opening 14 into the bristle tus 11. This paste can travelA throughout the length of the brush through the passageway 12 so as to reach all portions 30 thereof.

This form of the brush is designed for cheap and rapid manufacture, preferably to be used but once and then discarded. The handle and brush back 10 can be formed of 85 wood or similar inexpensive material. For a more elaborate and permanent construction the handle -9 and back 10 can be formed ofA bone, ivory, pyrolin, ornsimilar substances, carrying the conical cavity 13..

In the preferred form, the tooth paste is furnished in capsules 17, such as indicated in Fig. 4, which can be inserted into the conica] cavity and which, when pressed by the finger, will force the paste into the passageway 12 between 'the bristles. The capsules 17 may be formed of leadfoil, glue, paper, or

' similar material and are provided with either an opening 18 at their apex or with Aa relatively thin portion here which will open under pressure. The side walls of the cavity 13 prevent the capsule from breaking at any other point than opposite the discharge opening 14. The capsule can, if desired, be held `n position in the brush by means of a label similar to the label in Fig. 3, or can simply be forced into place so as to remain by frictional engagement.A y

In' the alternate form of the invention the 1)ristles are formed in continuous rows or strips 21 as illustrated in Fig. 6 banded together by means of a band 19 of suitable binding material. The binding material can be applied by dipping one edge of a row of bris- '.les in a wax or glue solution which, in setting, will bind the entire row in a continuous ribbon.

The bristles might be bound by impressing them into a strip of glue or wax or sewn together between tapes, if desired. Any of these methods would form the band 19 to hold a continuous strip of bristles 21 together.

In placing the strips of bristles in the brush handle slots 20 are sawed into a brush back J4. The strips 21 are then forced into the slots 2O with the binding band concealed within the brush back 24. This construction forms a continuous wall of bristles on each side of the paste opening 14, so that the paste can not escape at the sides of the brush.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated a second alternate form of the invention in which the conf tinuous rows 22 of bristles, of Fig. 6, have been incorporated. In this form, however,

-4the continuous rows 22 are crossed similar to Fig. 1, to provide a channel to allow the paste to How to the extremities of the row. The bristles are cut away as shown at 23, immediately over the paste chamber 13 so as to allow the paste to reach the extremities of the bristles.

It is desired to be understood that any oi the features of the various forms can be combined in any desired combination. For in- `stance, the cut-away portion 23 of Fig. 7 can be applied to the brush of Fig. 1, or the construction of Fig. 1 can be applied to the form of Fig. 5, without crossing the bristles.

Vhile a specific form of the improvement lhas been described and illustrated herein, it

is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended `claims, without departing from. the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim and desire secured by Letters `Patent 1s z- 1. A tooth brush comprising a brush back; two parallel rows of. bristles arranged longitudinally of said back, the bristles in the opposite rows being placed at an angle so as to cross each other the back of said brush being provided with a cavity opening to the face thereof under said crossing bristles; and a flexible strip covering said paste cavity.

2. A tooth brush comprising a brush back; bristles rejecting from the forward face of said bac the rear face of said back being provided with a cavity, there being` a passage from said cavity to the forward acegof sald back; and a depressible cover for said cavity.

' 3. A tooth brush comprising a brush back, bristles projecting from the forward 'face of said back; lthe rear face of said back being provided with a cavity, there being a passage from said cavity to the forward face of said back; and a paste-containing capsule adapted to fit within said cavity and discharge its contents through said passage.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

LYNUS O. GRAVES.

IOL 

